24 Charges Filed, 59 Witnesses To Testify In Airbus Case Against Namal

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Attorney General informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that the Chief Justice has appointed a Special Permanent Trial-at-Bar to hear the case against Namal Rajapaksa, National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), in connection with allegations that he accepted a bribe of Rs. 100 million linked to the Airbus Scandal.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told court that indictments had been filed before the Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar under 24 charges.

MP Namal Rajapaksa, who remains in remand custody, was once again produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

During proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed court that, as indictments have already been filed before the Permanent Trial-at-Bar, this would be the final occasion on which the matter would be called before the Magistrate's Court.

The Deputy Solicitor General further stated that 59 witnesses are expected to be called to testify during the hearing of the 24 charges.

President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando and Ali Sabry, appearing on behalf of Namal Rajapaksa, requested that their client be granted bail under any conditions deemed appropriate by the court.

Here's a translated extract of the submission made by President's Counsel Ali Sabry:

"The Constitution clearly states that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We are prepared to appear before the High Court on any date directed by court. On that day, the High Court may decide whether to grant bail or remand the accused. However, that issue is not relevant today. This court has the authority to grant bail to the suspect at this stage. Therefore, we respectfully request that bail be granted under any conditions the court may impose."

Responding to the application, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara argued that the Magistrate's Court no longer has the authority to grant bail since indictments have already been filed before the High Court, and requested that the suspect remain in remand custody until summons are issued by the Trial-at-Bar.

Here's a translated extract of the submission made by President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando:

"Your Honour, I agree with my learned friend. Jurisdiction over this matter now rests with the Trial-at-Bar because indictments have already been filed. Once the indictments are filed, any orders previously issued by this court in relation to this case effectively come to an end. The authority to determine whether bail should be granted now lies with the High Court. Therefore, I respectfully request that these proceedings before this court be concluded without issuing any further orders affecting this matter."

After considering the submissions made by both parties, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that the suspect remain in detention until October 29, pending his production before the Trial-at-Bar.

Here's a translated extract of the statement made by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama:

"This court does not have the authority to grant bail at this stage. The only order I am able to make at present is to direct that the suspect be produced before the Permanent Trial-at-Bar where the indictments have been filed as soon as possible. Accordingly, the suspect should be produced before the Permanent Trial-at-Bar on the 28th. Thereafter, the court is to be informed of the progress on the 30th. Until the suspect is produced before the Permanent Trial-at-Bar, I order that he be held in prison custody until the 29th."